An army ranger was killed in a freak parachute accident after the cords became wrapped around his neck during a routing training jump in Georgia.

Pfc Christopher Dona, 21, was dragged 350ft by his parachute after the wind caught it as he prepared to land at Fort Stewart in Savannah.

Members of his regiment rushed to the ranger's aid, cutting away the cords and harness that had wrapped round his neck, but they were unable to revive him after the accident on Thursday afternoon.

Accident: Pfc. Christopher P. Dona. The U.S. Army Ranger killed in an apparent parachuting mishap

'We're not sure what caused the
parachute to do this,' Lieutenant Colonel Brian DeSantis, the spokesman
for the Rangers, at Fort Benning, said. 'It's something we've never seen
before.'

Dona, who had been stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, had been on a routine training exercise.

Elite soldiers at the base take part in parachute training jumps several times a year, according toThe Journal Times.

Exercise: Ranger troops stationed at Hunter Air Base take part in regular parachute jumps for training

'This was a very routine proficiency jump. It was not part of a training exercise or anything. It was just jumping to practice jumping, something we do routinely. So, this is something that’s out of the ordinary for us,' Lieutenant Colonel DeSantis, who has a long service history with airborne units, said.

The army is investigating what caused the accident and whether Dona became tangled up in his harness before or after landing.

Inquiry: A spokesman from the Ranger's Fort Benning base says the regiment is investigating the accident

It is possible the ranger was knocked unconscious after landing and then became twisted in his parachute as he was dragged along the ground.

'We don’t have evidence that the parachute malfunctioned, Lieutenant Colonel DeSantis told Savannah Now.'It’s not a case where the parachute didn’t deploy. We don’t know if the Ranger was knocked unconscious during the descent or when he landed.'

Dona served in the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment based at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah. He was a combat veteran who returned last month from his first deployment to Afghanistan.

'Chris was an excellent Ranger who consistently displayed great courage and strength - a true warrior,' Lt. Col. Robert J. Harman, the battalion commander, said in a statement. 'He was the kind of Ranger everyone wants by their side in a tough situation.'

From above: An aerial view of Hunter Army Airfield, where 21-year-old Pfc Christopher Dona died during a freak parachuting accident

A native of Dudley, Mass., Dona graduated from Shepherd Hill Regional High School. He enlisted in the Army in early 2012.

Dona is survived by his parents, Paul and Maryann; his sister, Melissa; and his brother, Brian. His family did not immediately return a message seeking comment.